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self-publishing

I’ve been an Indie author for quite some time now and I have to say that regardless of the downsides of self-publishing, there are many upsides. And in fact, I’m willing to call it a bonanza of bonuses!

“Going it alone” usually means you are either a maverick or an idiot. Perhaps both. To be self-employed, you have to be self-motivated and willing to do more than what you signed up for. I’m a writer, but now I’m also in charge of editing, cover design, promotion, and formatting. I need to learn how to get my book on different book sites, peek the interest of readers with an attractive cover, blurb, and one-liner tweets.

If you do your research and find a group of friends who are paddling a similar one-person kayak in this very over-populated river of wanna-be writers, you can do what only huge publishing houses once did with endless money and a full roster of employees… take a book from conception to birth and actually make enough to pay your editor and cover designer. If you’re really successful you might even be able to pay your car payment.

It wasn’t very many days ago that the Indie author was looked down upon, and in many cases, is still seen as a second-class citizen in the publishing world. As an Indie you have to be willing to learn and grow to navigate the ever-changing current. You also have to be able to ignore the snide comments and/or reactions you get from people who have no idea the work you’ve put in or the many hats you wear in order to self-publish.

Self-published was once synonymous with “lacking enough talent to get published traditionally.” Ironically, there are many well-known, traditionally published writers going the self-published route these days. They may have veered off the traditional path in order to make a better living, have more say over the final outcome of their books, or because it’s now “hip to be square” for all I know. I do know that with all the writing competition out there, and the lower and lower number of actual readers, this career choice is sink or swim. Here’s hoping I can keep my head above the waves.

Regardless of the sharks in the water and other writerly trials, I am counting my blessings that I can still do what I love and love what I do.

Bonanzas:

I can sleep in and don’t have to catch a bus to work.

I can wear sweats and t-shirts or pajamas. Nobody is here to care.

My desk is comfortably situated in my home office and not in a cubicle.

My computer runs on Barbara time and not a company clock.

I write the stories I want to write and don’t have to continue writing a series if I no longer feel the inspiration or desire.

I can hire whomever I want to help with editing, cover design, etc, and have complete control over every aspect of my book.

I set my own deadlines and change them without asking permission.

I have met many other self-published authors and have found some great friends with common interests.

I’m not a starving artist with a publisher doling out a small percentage of my book’s earnings like breadcrumbs. I’m now a semi starving artist with a whole lot bigger cut of the earnings and a very small overhead.

My books are never found in the clearance bargain bin.

I’m proud to be Indie and think this is as good a place as any to remind you to pick up my latest published masterpiece. MUCH ADO ABOUT MURDER (Double Barrel Mysteries #2) You can find it at these online stores: AmazonBarnes & NobleiTuneskobo Smashwords

Thanks for stopping! If you love reading Indie or are an Indie writer, leave a comment below.

Barbara

Barbara is the author of the Fredrickson Winery Novels, the award winning thriller, Split Sense, The Second Chances series, The Amish Bloodsuckers Trilogy, and The Double Barrel Mysteries, Roadkill and Much Ado About Murder. She lives in Minnesota with her husband and pups.

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